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I. THE HIGH PRIVILEGE OF GOD'S PEOPLE. There is a sense in which all are His children, for "we are all His offspring." But all are not related to God as His children in the sense of the text. Certain Jews pretended that they were "the children of God." Jesus said unto them, "If God were your Father, ye would love Me"; but they loved Him not. Consequently He spoke still more plainly to them, "Ye are of your father the devil," etc. The same applies exactly to men in the present day. But let us observe what this high privilege denotes.

1. Distinguished honour. The Lord puts His name upon them. If this be our privilege we need envy none. The name of the ungodly, whatever rank they hold, shall be "blotted out."

2. Peculiar affection. There is no feeling so congenial to the heart of a father as affection for his children,

3. Constant care.

4. The most liberal kindness, "If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts," etc.

II. THE WAY BY WHICH THIS PRIVILEGE IS ASCERTAINED AND ENJOYED. Two witnesses come forward —

1. The testimony of conscience — "our spirit." Have you, or have you not, a persuasion in your own breast that you are a child of God? "If our heart condemn us," that is, if the verdict of conscience be clearly against us, "God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. But if our heart condemn us not," if its verdict be impartially in our favour, "then have we confidence towards God."

2. But, secondly, here is the testimony of the Spirit of God, and this is more particularly to be regarded; but when both agree then the case is beyond all reasonable doubt. Many a man, sinfully partial to himself, hath the witness of his own spirit that he is a Christian, while the Spirit of God witnesses no such thing. Let us, therefore, consider this witness.This is given in two ways.

1. In the Scriptures. The Word of God describes the children of God, the mind compares itself with this, and so far as an agreement really exists an inference friendly to ourselves is fairly drawn.

2. But there is the Spirit's witness by supernatural influence, or direct impressions on the mind. If Satan, that evil spirit "which now worketh in the children of disobedience," has a pernicious and destructive influence, much more the Holy Spirit of God for saving purposes. The Spirit's witness may be distinguished —

(1) By what precedes it. In vain does any one pretend to it unless he be first experimentally acquainted with —

(a)  True repentance.

(b)  Unfeigned faith.

(c)  Sincere devotedness to God.

(2) By what attends it. A high estimation of God's Word.

(3)  By what follows it.

(a)  Deep humility.

(b)  Holy jealousy of self.

(c)  Close walking with God.

(d)  Holiness.

(T. Kidd.)

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KJV: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

WEB: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;